New musical director has grand ideas for Incline High School

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INCLINE VILLAGE, Nev. - The Sierra hills are alive with the sound of music. One reason may be the arrival of Jim Krupa, the new music director for Incline High School, who began playing out as a professional keyboardist and singer when he was 13.

Passionate to grow as a musician, he soon learned how to play guitar, bass, drums and all of the brass. Wanting to increase his writing, arranging, reading, conducting and teaching skills, he received a B.A. in Music from Arizona State University (vocal major), where he was the first chair pianist in the school's jazz band.

After graduating, he went on to receive his masters from Biola University, then made his living as a church music director, a private and college music teacher, a performer and a studio musician, performing on and/or arranging more than 100 CDs and jingles.

He received an ADDY award for the best musical arrangement in a Reno, Nevada-based commercial. In 2011, he was offered a 15-week contract with Holland America to be a ship pianist, but turned it down to become a music teacher at Clark High School in Las Vegas, which has the largest high school music program in the state. This year, he was asked to be the head of Clark's piano department, but chose to take the music position at Incline High School.

His plans are to make the music program at Incline High School match the quality (and quantity) of what's going on with Rita Whitaker-Haun at Incline Elementary School and John Mueller at Incline Middle School. These three public school music directors for Incline Village are meeting on a regular basis with the goal of having a K-12, exciting, systematic and integrated music program which positively enriches the lives of the students and the community.

Jim and his wife Bonnie, the instructional coach for Sparks Middle School, live in S.W. Reno. They have 3 children and 2 (adorable and brilliant) grand-children.

Come see Mr. Jim Krupa's music debut on Monday, Dec. 17, at 5:30 p.m. in the Incline High School small gym. For details, contact the school at 775-832-4260.